Monthly Archives: May 2012

When YouTube and video websites became popular, TV networks, Hollywood, and the powers that be warned us all how “consumer” or user-generated video would bring down quality, lower journalistic and legal standards, and bring on the apocalypse. Ironically, it is … Continue reading →

Matthew Yglesias’ article for Slate about the hypocrisy of America regarding flamboyance vs. competence is so right-on I can’t add anything to it. With so many sports fans obsessed with the loser Chicago Cubs, Dallas Cowboys, and other hugely popular … Continue reading →

Consensus in America has always been an illusion, albeit one media, governments, and corporations were built upon. Our country found that out the hard way in the 20th century during the civil rights, women’s rights, homosexual rights, and other movements. … Continue reading →

This being an election year, politicians are obsessed with reminding us how terrible things are solely because of their opponents. Listen to the Republicans, you’d think President Obama invented profligate government spending. Listen to the Democrats, you’d think our economy … Continue reading →

Something lost in the tedious and pointless arguments over “American exceptionalism” is the proof this is a great country because we citizens have the time and freedom to argue over such nebulous and counterproductive topics. When you look at Greece, … Continue reading →

When I was a kid, I never dreamed I’d do for a living what I do now. That’s because computers, digital cameras, editing software, the Internet, and a lot of the weapons in my current video-making arsenal didn’t even exist. … Continue reading →

The outrage over Time magazine’s recent cover pic about breast-feeding appears to be legitimate shock among the more conservative or feminist elements of society. But seriously, folks- are you really shocked? Magazine covers have been “shocking” for, oh about a … Continue reading →

In our electronics-obsessed world (I’ll admit, I’m an addict), you’d think the makers of TVs, phones, cameras, and other gizmos would be rolling in cash. But it’s just the opposite. Sony had another disastrous quarter, Panasonic joined its Japanese counterpart … Continue reading →

When old institutions and habits break down or consume themselves, new experimental shoots begin to appear, and people explore and test and share new and better ways to survive together. “Ecotopia” author and founder of “Film Quarterly” Ernest Callenbach recently … Continue reading →

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision declaring corporations have the same rights as individuals, critics have attacked the concept of “corporate personhood”. It’s become a presidential campaign issue: Romney for, Obama against. Stephen Colbert has railed relentlessly about … Continue reading →